It was the 18th annual Mother-Son Dance hosted by the city's Recreation Department.

"My sister went to the dad one," Tate said, as he chose Hawaiian leis for his mother and himself.

The theme of the mother-son event has taken on the flavor of a luau for the last few years, said Assistant Recreation Director Barry Foley. It was a perfect pre-Mother's Day event for Portsmouth moms and their young suitors.

Perhaps the youngest little guy was 6-week-old Isaiah, who was with his mom Antoinette Candee. He was happily seated in his baby carrier and looking around at the colorful decorations that included palm trees and a giant parrot.

Zachary Cross, 8, thought he just might dance with his mom Elizabeth, but confessed he was really interested in the kid-friendly buffet. It was covered with foods provided by the Recreation Department as well as brought to the dance by moms.

While there were finger sandwiches and vegetables with dips, the kids dove into the Cheetos, M&M's, Fritos, potato chips, cupcakes and candies. One kid made an attempt at being healthy by putting three cucumber slices on the side of his plate covered in M&M's.

On the dance floor, Peter Anania of the Dancing Machine Co. said he would be taking requests for songs as he wouldn't be playing the "girly pop songs" popular at the father-daughter dances.

Suzy Gagnon had a double date with her sons Luc, 10, and Nic, 8.

"I won the twist contest once," Luc said. "We came in the top three a few times, too, in a swing dance."

Luc planned on asking Anania to play "Gangnam Style," while his younger brother wanted to hear "Scream and Shout."

There was, in fact, a whole lot of swinging going on as moms happily swung their sons around under the colored lights — when they could catch them. The youngsters mostly had fun running around the gym with each other.